Embarking on your Elden Ring odyssey? Here are five key strategies to sharpen your skills before facing the demigods:
1. Beyond Levels: Building a Well-Rounded Tarnished
While leveling is important, it’s not the only path to power. Consider these tactics to elevate your character:
Upgrade Your Weapon: Don’t neglect your favorite weapon! Gather Smithing Stones to enhance its level for a significant damage boost.
Explore Spells, Summons, and Ashes of War: Experiment with spells, spirit summons, and Ashes of War for your weapons. These can provide offensive or defensive advantages depending on your playstyle.
Craft Buff Items: Unlock crafting recipes to create buffs for yourself and your weapon. These temporary enhancements can turn the tide in difficult fights.
Maximize Flask Upgrades: Enhance your Crimson and Cerulean Flasks whenever possible. Extra healing and FP (Focus Points) can mean the difference between victory and defeat.
2. The Lands Between Whisper Secrets: Exploration is Key
The world itself holds valuable clues. Here’s how to become an expert explorer:
Uncover Hidden Paths: Keep an eye out for environmental hints that might reveal secret routes, illusory walls, or even hidden bosses and dungeons.
Beware of Traps and Ambushes: Remain vigilant! Enemies may lurk in disguise, waiting to ambush you. Spot hidden foes before they strike.
Observe Enemy Behavior: Watch how enemies move. Some have predictable routines that can be exploited for ambushes of your own. You might even be able to lure them into fighting each other!
Engage with Characters: Talk to the inhabitants of the Lands Between. Their stories and quests may offer valuable rewards or even unlock new character skills.
3. Don’t Forget Your Spectral Companions: Level Up Your Summons
The Spirit Bell summons are invaluable allies, especially against bosses or large groups. Here’s how to strengthen them:
Aid Roundtable Hold Residents: By helping certain characters in Roundtable Hold, you can increase the health, damage, and defense of your summons.
Collect Glovewort Flowers: You’ll need Glovewort alongside Runes to level up your summons. Gather these unique bell-shaped flowers whenever you see them.
4. Master the D-Pad: Quick Access for Speedy Decisions
With a vast arsenal of spells, summons, weapons, flasks, and items, quick access is crucial. Here’s where the D-Pad comes in:
Utilize Quick Shortcuts: Assign frequently used items like throwing bombs, weapon buffs, defensive items, or your trusty spectral steed Torrent to the D-Pad shortcuts for swift deployment.
Customize Shortcuts for Different Battles: Tailor your D-Pad shortcuts based on the enemy you’re facing. This allows you to react quickly and effectively in combat.
5. Torrent: More Than Just Speedy Travel
Torrent, your spectral steed, is more than just a fast travel option. Here’s how to master mounted combat:
Mounted Combat Finesse: Mounted combat has its own set of mechanics. Learn the timing and spacing required to land blows while riding Torrent.
Charge Attacks and Mounted Spells: Utilize Torrent’s powerful charge attack to take down multiple enemies and even break their poise. Certain spells can also be cast from horseback.
Practice Makes Perfect: Hone your mounted combat skills, especially against large enemies like dragons. Stock up on crafting materials to create Torrent’s Spectral Steed Whistle, as you’ll need to resummon him if he falls in battle.
With these tips at your side, you’re well on your way to becoming the Elden Lord. Remember, Tarnished, the Lands Between await your exploration and conquest. Good luck!